Cinema VinesThe Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been reconstituted for the first time since 2017, with the Indian government appointing a new 18‑member panel on Wednesday. The newly formed board, which will serve for a three‑year term or until further orders, is chaired by Shashi Shekhar Vempati and includes a mix of film industry veterans, critics, and cultural figures.
Among the most high‑profile additions are Bollywood stars Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Suniel Shetty, as well as veteran director Priyadarshan and musician‑composer Ricky Kej. The panel also features actors Pallavi Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Rupali Ganguly; writers and poets Yatindra Mishra and Ramesh Patange; and former parliamentarian and singer Hansraj Hans. Theatre director Waman Kendre and writer Ramesh Patange are the only two members from the previous board to retain their seats.
The reconstitution follows a period of criticism over the CBFC’s censorship practices. In July, the board granted a UA 13 certification to Tom Holland and Zendaya’s “Spider‑Man: Brand New Day,” cutting an eight‑second kissing scene that was deemed unsuitable for viewers under 13. The decision sparked backlash for its perceived over‑cautiousness. Earlier, the board’s handling of the Tamil film “Jana Nayagan,” starring Vijay and Bobby Deol, led to a last‑minute postponement and a subsequent online leak, resulting in several arrests.
Before the current overhaul, the CBFC had remained unchanged since its last reconstitution in August 2017. Members such as Vidya Balan, Vivek Agnihotri, and former footballer Mihir Bhutia continued to serve beyond 2020 because no new board had been appointed. The new panel aims to bring fresh perspectives and address the growing calls for a more transparent and balanced certification process.
With the appointment of prominent film personalities and cultural leaders, the CBFC’s 18‑member board is poised to navigate the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, balancing artistic freedom with regulatory oversight.
